The Role of Nrf2 Pathway Activation in Hippocampal Neuron Injury of Neonatal Rats with Bilirubin Encephalopathy

• Published in: Sichuan da xue xue bao. Journal of Sichuan University. Yi xue ban Vol. 52; no. 6; pp. 960 - 965
• Main Authors: Liu, Long-Bin, Tang, Li-Xia, Lin, Xin-Zhu, Li, Ya-Dan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Hippocampus; Kernicterus; Neurons - metabolism; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 - genetics; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 - metabolism; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Signal Transduction; Bilirubin encephalopathy; Hippocampal neuronal injury; Nrf2 pathway; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 1672-173X
• DOI: 10.12182/20211160502

To explore the effect of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) pathway activation on hippocampal neuron damage in neonatal rats with bilirubin encephalopathy. Neonatal rats were randomly assigned to a control group (Control), a model group (Model) and an Nrf2 activator TBHQ (tert-Butylhydroquinone) group (TBHQ), with 20 rats in each group. Bilirubin solution was injected through the cerebellomedullary cistern to establish the neonatal rat model of bilirubin encephalopathy. Neurobehavioral changes were observed in rats and the water content of the brain tissue was measured. Nissl staining was done to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons. TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Colorimetric analysis was done to determine the Caspase-3 activity in the hippocampus. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampus were examined by chemical analysis. qRT-PCR and Western blot were done